ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 31, 1993                   TAG: 9308020369
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

POLICE OFFICERS ARE NOT THE PROBLEM

THIS IS in response to the letter "End the demerit system", by Keith D. Frazier. I think you and your letter is a JOKE! Our law enforcement officials have the unfortunate task, day after day, to be at the scene of accidents which cause deaths by some drivers who shouldn't have been behind the wheel because of a restricted or revoked license. Then, they have to notify family of the death.

Instead of viewing them as only officers who dish out traffic tickets, think again. I guarantee you will think again when he comes to knock on your door in the middle of the night to tell you your child has been killed by a drunk or reckless driver who has a restricted or revoked license.

Something needs to be done to those who drive when they have been ordered not to! What can we do to stop this? We should seize the individual's car or stick a scarlet letter on their license plates. That would be a fair warning to everyone who shares the road with them. There are solutions to these problem drivers and they should be sought and taken care of with no exceptions. These drivers pose a threat to all of us who drive.

Our officers work hard to save lives and control the drivers on the road. Don't blame them for being afraid to pull over a car at night because they are afraid of being shot or hurt, and don't blame them for the nightmares they have after working accidents which cause deaths. The officers aren't the problems, the people who are driving and shouldn't be are. HEATHER L. CLOW ROANOKE 


 by CNB